SCHIZOPHRENIA- psychotic disorderProgressive disorder that makes it hard to distinguish reality from dream land, think in a logical manner, have emotions towards things(or can exaggerate emotions), and can cause social awkwardness.
Signs/Symptoms(may develop over years):
Irritability Insomnia Lack of concentration Apathy Delusional beliefs Hearing voices/hallucinations
Causes:
Genetic- people with a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with schizophrenia are ten times more likely to develop it than others. Genetics are not the only cause and some people with close schizophrenic relatives do not develop it
Environmental- It is possible that stress causes schizophrenia by producing too much of the hormone cortisol. A lot of the factors that are thought to cause schizophrenia occur in the early stages of life, such as too little oxygen while being born, child abuse, being exposed to a virus while in the womb or during the early years of childhood, etc.
Brain Structure- some schizophrenics have enlarged brain ventricles, while others have low activity in the frontal lobe; others have abnormal temporal lobes, hippocampuses, and amygdalas. None of the studies have ever been conclusive though, because the results in these tests are never similar when compared to other schizophrenics.
Different Types of Schizophrenia:
Paranoid- anxiety and belief that everyone is out to get you Disorganized- childish, apathetic, can't explain ideas very clearly Catatonic- rigid posture, little activity in life, grimacing a lot
What the Public Thinks:
The public views schizophrenic people as extremely violent and think that they have multiple personalities or a split personality. People often try to distance themselves from anyone with schizophrenia. In a study of people that do not have schizophrenics in their lives, these results were found:
80% would be uncomfortable with dating someone who has schizophrenia(untreated)
77% would be uncomfortable working with someone who has schizophrenia(untreated)
80% would be uncomfortable working for someone who has(untreated)
76% would be uncomfortable just being around someone who has schizophrenia(untreated)
71% would be afraid for their own well-being while around someone who as schizophrenia(untreated)
Treatments Available:
Medication: Antipsychotic medications help best with schizophrenia by balancing chemicals in the brains Therapy/Support Programs: job-training classes, relationship classes behavior classes, supportive groups
Controversies:
Because there is little known about the cause of schizophrenia, the main controversy lies in the diagnosis. No one knows what exactly causes schizophrenia, whether it is just genetic, or if the environment does actually play a part, or any other factors and if they are important to the development of schizophrenia.
Chloe and Conner
SCHIZOPHRENIA- psychotic disorderProgressive disorder that makes it hard to distinguish reality from dream land, think in a logical manner, have emotions towards things(or can exaggerate emotions), and can cause social awkwardness.
Signs/Symptoms(may develop over years):
IrritabilityInsomnia
Lack of concentration
Apathy
Delusional beliefs
Hearing voices/hallucinations
Causes:
Different Types of Schizophrenia:
Paranoid- anxiety and belief that everyone is out to get youDisorganized- childish, apathetic, can't explain ideas very clearly
Catatonic- rigid posture, little activity in life, grimacing a lot
What the Public Thinks:
The public views schizophrenic people as extremely violent and think that they have multiple personalities or a split personality. People often try to distance themselves from anyone with schizophrenia. In a study of people that do not have schizophrenics in their lives, these results were found:Treatments Available:
Medication: Antipsychotic medications help best with schizophrenia by balancing chemicals in the brainsTherapy/Support Programs: job-training classes, relationship classes behavior classes, supportive groups
Controversies:
Because there is little known about the cause of schizophrenia, the main controversy lies in the diagnosis. No one knows what exactly causes schizophrenia, whether it is just genetic, or if the environment does actually play a part, or any other factors and if they are important to the development of schizophrenia.Disorders associated with Schizophrenia:
PhobiasBipolar
Depression
Panic Disorders
Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001925/http://www.helpguide.org/mental/schizophrenia_symptom.htm
http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/SchizophreniaSurvey/Analysis_Public_Attitudes.htm
goulash